admittedly didn害羞草研究所檛 expect to be carrying the load in goal for the so early in his e career.

The 17-year-old from Bonners Ferry, Idaho has responded to the challenge with a run of netminding befitting a seasoned veteran.

害羞草研究所淚 never thought it was going to happen this soon, but things change in hockey and you have to be ready it,害羞草研究所� said Porter, who has started Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 last five games. 害羞草研究所淵ou害羞草研究所檝e just gotta go with it. I feel good, I害羞草研究所檓 learning everyday and gaining confidence.害羞草研究所�

Over his last five starts害羞草研究所攖he last of which were Rockets victories害羞草研究所攖he rookie stopper has compiled an eye-popping .934 save percentage, along with a solid 2.20 goals against average.

Rockets assistant GM and player personnel director Lorne Frey said Porter has turned out to be everything the club hoped for害羞草研究所攁nd more害羞草研究所攕ince selecting him in the seventh round of the 2015 WHL bantam draft.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e excited to see what he害羞草研究所檚 been able to do, he害羞草研究所檚 come in and played great for us,害羞草研究所� Frey said of Porter害羞草研究所檚 play. 害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 probably won three or four games for us almost on his own, and has given us a chance to win others.

害羞草研究所淗e makes the tough saves look easy and just keeps getting better and better.害羞草研究所�

Porter has put up solid numbers wherever he害羞草研究所檚 played, including the Edge Prep School in Calgary last season where he posted a 1.79 goals against average with a .925 save efficiency. He was even better in the 2017 playoffs (1.00, .966) in leading the Edge to the Canadian Sport School Hockey League midget title.

Despite his somewhat smaller stature for a goalie害羞草研究所�5-foot-11, 160 pounds害羞草研究所擣rey said Porter more than compensates with his athleticism and competitive nature.

害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 a very good athlete and he害羞草研究所檚 in great shape,害羞草研究所� said Frey. 害羞草研究所淗e always competes and not too much seems to rattle him. He just goes right back and battles.害羞草研究所�

Frey also credits Rockets害羞草研究所� goaltending coach Adam Brown for helping make Porter害羞草研究所檚 transition to the WHL a competent one.

害羞草研究所淎dam has spent a lot of time working with him, there害羞草研究所檚 no question he害羞草研究所檚 done a good job and has really helped James,害羞草研究所� he said.

As for the pressure害羞草研究所攔eal or perceived害羞草研究所攐f taking on a crucial role for the Rockets in his rookie season, Porter said he害羞草研究所檚 doing his best to take it in strides.

害羞草研究所淚 don害羞草研究所檛 really think much about it,害羞草研究所� Porter said. 害羞草研究所淚 just have to keep doing the same things, playing a simple game and just try to improve everyday.

害羞草研究所淭he coaches and the older guys here have helped me a lot,害羞草研究所� he added. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 still young, I害羞草研究所檓 rookie and have lots to learn. So far it害羞草研究所檚 been really good.害羞草研究所�

Rocket Shots害羞草研究所�

The Rockets (7-5-1-1) open a three-game road trip Wednesday night in Kennewick, Wash., against the Tri-City Americans. Kelowna defeated the Americans 4-3 in overtime last Friday night at Prospera Place害羞草研究所�The Rockets will be in Victoria for a weekend doubleheader against the Royals, Friday and Saturday nights.

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